Samson and the Lion thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Samson and the Lion

Statuette
1550-1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Florence (city) (made)

This bronze statuette depicts Samson and the lion. Samson, partly draped with a cloak, rests his right knee on the lion's back and tears open the beast's mouth with both hands.

Is a biblical figure. Samson means either "of the sun" or "one who serves (god)". Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion. When he was attacked by the lion, he siply rips it apart, grabbing it at the mouth.


Object details

Categories
Sculpture
Myths & Legends
Religion
Object type
Statuette
TitleSamson and the Lion (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Bronze
Bronze
Brief description
Statuette, bronze, depicting Samson and the Lion, Italy, 16th century
Physical description
Bronze statuette depicting Samson and the lion. Samson, partly draped with a cloak, rests his right knee on the lion's back and tears open the beast's mouth with both hands.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
Credit line
Salting Bequest
Object history
From the Salting bequest.
Subjects depicted
Lions (Animals)
Samson
Summary
This bronze statuette depicts Samson and the lion. Samson, partly draped with a cloak, rests his right knee on the lion's back and tears open the beast's mouth with both hands.

Is a biblical figure. Samson means either "of the sun" or "one who serves (god)". Samson is a Herculean-like figure, with tremendous strength given by God to combat his enemies and perform heroic acts, like the wrestling with the lion. When he was attacked by the lion, he siply rips it apart, grabbing it at the mouth.
Bibliographic references
  • Renaissance bronzes from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London : Renaissance bronzes and related drawings from the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford / organized by the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane
  • 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 9
Collection
Sculpture Collection
Accession number
A.122-1910

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 22, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O106697/samson-and-the-lion-statuette-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest